Exercising in Bed

The Story of an Old Body and Face Made Young

by Sanford Bennett

Review

Exercising in Bed: The Story of an Old Body and Face Made Young is a book written by health guru Sanford Bennett and is an instructional manual on Bennett's personal fitness system.

The book begins with an introduction from Bennett in which he explains his poor physical condition at the age of 50. Flash forward more than a decade, and Bennett claims to be in peak physical condition and have the body of a man twenty years his junior. The author attributed his physical transformation to a series of exercises he has developed and performs daily. Bennett goes on to explain his fitness system in detail. The exercises are all to be performed in one's bed upon first waking. The system is a series of focused muscular tension and relaxation exercises, in which one or a group of muscles is tensed for a specified period of time. The book promotes a full body workout, with exercises for seemingly every body part included.

Bennett's book is a testament to the amazing physical changes one can spur in their body with focused training. His no-impact, no-resistance style of conditioning will certainly appeal to a large segment of the population. While there is no formal scientific explanation included in the book, it is likely that these exercises promoted muscle development.

Bennett's exercises are explained quite thoroughly, however many images have not been reproduced in this republication. Thus, the author occasionally refers the reader to an image that is simply not available.

For individuals interested in pursuing an alternative personal fitness regime, Exercising in Bed: The Story of an Old Body and Face Made Young is a fascinating book. While the system never gained widespread popularity, the results demonstrated by the author are impressive. If you are looking to change your body with a low impact workout, this book is worthy of your consideration.

Excerpt

The ease with which the exercises can be per formed under these conditions, the small expense of the four simple aids or devices which I use, and the robust health, vital energy, and muscular de veiopment which I have obtained at an age when such conditions are very unusual, will commend themselves and invite, at least, a trial. But that trial must be something more than a spasmodic effort made once or twice a week.